PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Home for the Holidays for an Iraq or Afghanistan Vet
by Nikki Poli Monday, Oct. 03, 2005 at 8:38 PM
QtNikki273@AOL.com 412-373-0965

The hundreds of men and woman in Southwestern Pennsylvania who are serving in the United States military inspired our holiday home giveaway. Our program will offer an appropriate homecoming and thank you to our veterans.

The Hope Lives Foundation will give away a newly renovated house this holiday season to a military family experiencing hardship due to a family members service in Iraq or Afghanistan. This house, currently under renovations is located in a quiet suburban neighborhood of McKeesport.


Hope Lives, a charitable foundation founded by Real Estate Riches (RER) CEO Jim Toner, also will offer the winner and five runners up scholarships for its real estate investment-mentoring course. This course teaches participants the step-by-step process for real estate investing focusing on long-term wealth building for retirement.


The house giveaway and scholarships are part of Hope Lives “Home for the Holidays” program. According to Toner, Iraq veterans and the sacrifices they and their families are making on behalf of their country inspired Home for the Holidays.


‘We wanted to find a way to lighten someone’s load, a way to say thank you for their remarkable courage.” Toner noted. “We’re hoping that a new house will give a veteran a proper homecoming and a fresh start.”


The recipient will be chosen based on worthiness of their situation by a selection board comprised of representatives from various charitable organizations.


To enter, the entry must meet the following criteria:
1. At least one family member must be serving or has served in the ongoing conflict in Iraq or Afghanistan. This service can be in any branch of the military and in any capacity, whether conflict or support services.
2. The family must reside in southwestern Pennsylvania
3. The family can articulate through the entry processes how they have has experienced hardship due to a veteran service in Iraq or Afghanistan. This may be a financial hardship, physical disability, or other personal challenges that are outcomes of the veteran’s time at war.
4. The winning family must be willing to participate at interviews, photos, videos, and television appearances that result from the giveaway.
5. While this home is being given away totally free of charge to the recipient, he/she must be able to maintain the financial obligations associated with the real estate taxes on the property.

Entrants must submit their story in essay form or video format by November 10th, 2005 to:
The Hope Lives Foundation
Home for an Iraq Vet
112 Arona Road
North Huntington, PA 15642